El Monte Police Officers Will Beef Up Pasadena Police Security Coverage at Rose Bowl Events Under New Contract

The City Council on Monday gave City Manager Miguel Marquez authorization to enter into a $90,000 contract with the El Monte Police Department for law enforcement services at special events at the Rose Bowl.

The contract would allow the department to aid the Pasadena Police Department at the events which include UCLA games, international soccer matches, Americafest, music concerts and music festivals.

“It doesn’t make any sense to me,” wrote former Mayor Bill Paparian in correspondence to the City Council. “How much supplemental law enforcement services does $90k per year provide that the Pasadena Police Department is incapable of providing? And why El Monte PD as opposed to the LASD, Glendale PD, or Burbank PD?”

The City regularly works with nearby law enforcement agencies during special events, including the Rose Bowl Game and the Rose Bowl Parade.

According to an agenda staff report, it is necessary to supplement the City’s police department with personnel and equipment provided by outside agencies in order to provide adequate law enforcement for “Special Events” within the City and at the Rose Bowl.

The City is not obligated to pay the El Monte Police Department if events are canceled. 

The two-year contract covers special events that occur between April 1 and April 1, 2025. 

“The classification and approximate numbers of personnel provided by EMPD will be determined and mutually agreed upon, in writing, between EMPD and the City prior to special events,” according to a City staff report. 

“The hours of duty performed by EMPD employees will be established and agreed upon in accordance with the requested services.” 

Services provided by El Monte officers include supplemental traffic control and enforcement personnel, supervision, and management as indicated, as well as motor vehicles, operational, technical, and clerical support as necessary.